Renamo attacks civilians in Mozambique

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has voiced concern at the recent escalation of violence in Mozambique between government forces and members of the Mozambican National Resistance (RENAMO).

“The Secretary-General calls on all parties to refrain from any act that can threaten the peace and stability that has prevailed during the past 21 years, since the 1992 Rome General Peace Accords,” said a statement issued by his spokesperson.

“He urges them to fully engage in an inclusive dialogue to resolve differences within the established democratic order and to ensure that the country continues to achieve social inclusion and sustainable development for all.”

Suspected Renamo guerrillas ambushed a passenger minibus in central Mozambique on Saturday, killing one person and injuring 10 more in an attack condemned by President Armando Guebuza.

Fears of hit-and-run attacks by armed partisans of Renamo opposition leader Afonso Dhlakama have increased, after the army overran Dhlakama’s base in central Sofala province on Monday, forcing him to flee into the bush.

A few years after gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, Mozambique was plunged into a long and debilitating civil war between the Government, led by the Liberation Front of Mozambique (FRELIMO) party, and RENAMO.

In 1992, after two years of negotiations in Rome, the two parties signed a General Peace Agreement. As part of the accords, the Security Council established the UN Operation in Mozambique (known by the Portuguese-language acronym ONUMOZ) to monitor and support a ceasefire, the demobilisation of forces and the holding of national elections.

The mandate of ONUMOZ ended in December 1994, shortly before the southern African nation’s first multi-party elections. – SAnews.gov.za